Bryson, Grand Calumet Island, Campbell’s Bay, Litchfield, Vinton and Waltham are only a few of the towns and hamlets along Hwy. 148. This highway follows the Ottawa river or Outaouais River as it is called in Quebec. To my ear it is pronounced “Ootaway.”

I was following the gently curving highway when I saw the most curious thing. A church without a spire?

St. Elizabeth of Hungary, in Vinton

You really can’t tell in my photograph but the spire is missing. It actually is situated on the ground next to the church. Apparently they are doing repairs. It looked so strange to see this short square castle like tower. The church is one of the many wonderful stone churches in Canada. Even I can tell that faith really is what settled Canada. There is a most amazing cemetery next to the church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary.

The Cemetery by St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Vinton, Quebec

More of the cemetery, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Vinton, Quebec

I continued on my way and came to Mansfield-et-Pontefract and Fort Coulonge. A very curious amalgamation of two cities? I didn’t dally to figure it out. I turned left following the signs pointing to Fort Coulonge and past a huge cemetery on my left. I came to Rue Principale and followed that along the Coulonge River. This road took me to the “Félix Gabriel-Marchand Bridge. I stopped puzzled?

Marchand Cover Bridge, Fort Coulonge, Quebec

After a little passage of time, I observed cars driving across this very long covered bridge from either side. I reviewed the signs posted at the entrance and there was nothing saying I could not drive across. So I did. What a kick! It was not flat but wavy so the car when slightly up and down as I drove across. It was one lane so apparently the honor system is in place and if you spy another car on the other side you either go or give way.

Once across I turned left onto Hwy. 148 and the George Bryson house was easily found on the right side of the road. It looked like it was about to get a new paint job? http://maisonbryson.com/index_en.html I found this webpage which I thought was rather fascinating about the history of this house and a whole lot more:

I didn’t have time to dither so I continued on my way to Chute du Coulonge. The turnoff is not too far up the road from the Bryson House. Apparently I did not read the website very well because they charge a fee to enter the park. http://www.chutescoulonge.qc.ca/aboutus.htm I have to admit being yelled at in French was interesting. I was making my way to the falls when she stopped me from going any further. I felt bad for the attendant. There was no one there except me. So I did not see the falls and do not have photographs. Check out their website it looks like there a many activities for families. By the way getting to it is a little odd. You drive the highway and then you eventually get to a gravel road and the signs are somewhat lacking but eventually you find the big sign telling you that the park is not far. They do have a good-sized parking lot.

I continued on Hwy. 148 and past by Waltham. I was tempted to turn into the town but decided I was getting hungry and too tired to really enjoy it. So I pushed on to Pembroke where I had arranged for lodging.

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About BJ MacDonald

Interested in travel, really into genealogy and researching my family history, classic novels and movies, fantasy and science fiction, photography, history and more...
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4 Responses to Hwy. 148: The Quebec Side by the Outaouais River

St Elizabeth’s is a beautiful church. They took the steeple off for repair this past summer but now it is back up and looks beautiful. My family’s ancestral home is directly across the road from the church. My father was born in that house in 1915. I lived there as a child many years later. My grandmother played the organ in the church. I love the Pontiac but especially Vinton.

Beth: You can see that my picture of the church was only to the top part and didn’t show that tall steeple because it was on the ground, HA! I am so glad that your family home is still standing. So many are gone. I enjoyed my trip to Renfrew and Pontiac County very much. It was so wonderful to see that area, drive along the highways and explore. I realize now that I have been there, that I could have stayed in Pembroke and gotten around just fine to all that I wanted to do. The Hwy on the Pontiac side was easy to drive. I am so tempted to go back. Sigh. I was in Vinton so briefly. Thanks for sharing.

Kelly, thanks for stopping by. I was through there very fast. Unfortunately I didn’t have a lot of time. You cannot see it in the picture but they had removed the steeple and it was lying on the ground. It made the church look odd. It was fun to see the steeple lying there for repairs. I am assuming it is back where it belongs by now.

Things to Ponder!

The header photo is of the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church and Cemetery in Chapeau, Quebec.

The OGS (Ontario Genealogical Society) Online Newsletter for October 15, 2016 has a great article on the Toronto Library where their collection has been moved to. How to access it and the documents. OGS was given a tour of the new facilities. I was at the North York on my trip to Canada and that is now closed with the collection moved to the main library. They don't discuss parking but that could be an issue.

It is with sadness I report that the Chanute Air Museum is closing for good. I am so glad I visited this museum on the base where my Dad, Keith, spent his time learning his craft of airplane mechanic. August 12, 2016

NEWER PAGES HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE TOP OF THE BLOG UNDER THE PHOTO CHECK IT OUT!!!! They are drop down so hover your mouse.

Timeline for World War II

This timeline has been moved to a page at the top of this blog under His Love of Airplanes.

World War II ended in September 2, 1945.

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